Croatia to introduce new social welfare quality and safety system

Croatia is set to implement a new National Quality and Safety System in social welfare, with a pilot launch expected in approximately two months. The initiative aims to adopt best practices from other European countries to enable earlier risk recognition and better protection for vulnerable users, including children and victims of violence.

Minister of Labour Alen Ružić stated that the system focuses on preventing unwanted events and strengthening cooperation among stakeholders. The reform follows extraordinary oversight reports regarding a femicide in Slatina and a child's injury in a fire in Zadar, both of which revealed failures in the actions of competent services.

Unlike the current model, which relies on the number of inspections conducted, the new system will utilize six fundamental elements and 20 quality indicators. A key feature is the introduction of ten ‘red flags’—specific triggers that mandate additional professional review. These include repeated reports involving violence and a child, three or more reports related to the same family within 12 months, and prolonged lack of contact with high-risk individuals.